Canine Adenovirus

BloomingPaws Vet Clinic would like to share some facts on the health and care of dogs and cats infected with Canine Adenovirus.

Canine adenovirus (CAV-2) is a DNA virus that is commonly
associated with canine infectious tracheitis, also known as ‘canine cough’.

Transmission of Canine Adenovirus

Spread directly from dog to dog through infected respiratory secretions (coughing/sneezing) or by contact with contaminated feces or urine.

Clinical symptoms will occur 3-10 days after exposure.

Clinical Symptoms for Canine Adenovirus

Dry, hacking cough

Retching and gagging

Coughing up white foamy discharge

Conjunctivitis – sometimes

Fever, lethargy, anorexia

Nasal discharge

The infections is most times self-limiting; however, in some cases (young puppies), it can lead to pneumonia.

Diagnosis for Canine Adenovirus

Presumptively based on clinical signs and patient history (vaccine status and possibility of exposure)

Rarely specific testing is done for this particular virus.

Treatment for Canine Adenovirus

There is no cure for canine adenovirus. Treatment is aimed at supportive care which includes maintain hydration status, nutritional support and possibly antibiotics for secondary infections.

Isolation from other dogs

Prevention of Canine Adenovirus

Vaccination. However, it is important to realize that the vaccine does not completely prevent dogs from contracting CAV-2. Rather, the vaccine limits the severity of infection so that vaccinated dogs typically experience a milder form of the disease. The CAV-2 vaccine also protects against canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) which causes canine infectious hepatitis—a dangerous and potentially fatal infection affecting the liver.

This vaccine is given as part of the puppy series and then a booster is given yearly to every 3 years thereafter.

Canine Adenovirus is still commonly found in the Bloomington, IN area in
those dogs that are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. With the current use of
the vaccine, the severity of the infection is lessened significantly.